21. Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Kora
I t was noon when I closed the door of my classroom and ended year number seven of my teaching career. It had been another successful year, and I couldn’t wait for the summer and the chance to have time to relax and rejuvenate before I had to do it all again.
My phone pinged, and I pulled it from my pocket. I smiled wide as I read the text from Kai.
Be Ready to celebrate tonight. I’ll be over by 8.
“ So, does that smile on your face have to do with a handsome, dark-haired, crystal-eyed stud?”
I glanced up from my phone as Darlene closed her classroom door. I fell into step beside her and answered Kai’s text.
“You going to fill me in? You’ve been lost in your thoughts today.” Darlene nudged me with her shoulder.
I gave her a wicked grin. “I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Since when?” Her eyes were wide with amusement. “You’ve always kissed and told me everything.”
“That’s when I was young.”
“That was last year. You’ve not matured that much in a year.”
“Kai makes me feel more mature.” Our twin cars were parked next to each other as usual. “I’ll meet you at the pub.”
I climbed in and pulled away, leaving Darlene staring. You’re going to have to keep stewing, Dar. I have no clue what I can tell you. He’s a mystery with a spotty past and family life but is surprisingly sweet, affectionate, hot, and we have amazing sex, probably the best of my life. Yeah, until I could figure out exactly what was happening between us, how I felt about him and vice versa, I was better off not saying much of anything.
Darlene and I were meeting a few other teachers for our end-of-the-year celebration at the pub. One perk of being a teacher is the long summer break, and we always celebrated the beginning of the two months of vacation with margaritas and fried goodness. I had a hair and nail appointment at two, but that gave me two hours of celebrating the beginning of summer with my coworkers.
I climbed out of my car just as Darlene pulled in. We entered the pub together, and Bryson had seats saved for us. Darlene sat next to him, and I took the seat across from her. The long table was one-half men, the other half women. Another great thing about a small town was that even though there was an elementary and high school, you worked closely together. The elementary school went through sixth grade, with seventh grade going to the high school.
It was always a great time. Bryson—a history teacher and offensive line coach of the football team, and Lance—the head football coach and PE teacher, led a discussion of the future of the football team. There was lots of laughing, eating, and drinking. I needed a break and got up to refill our margaritas and took a seat at the bar.
“Looks like y’all are ready for summer.” Trevor laid a full pitcher on the counter.
“Of course,” I smiled. “I love my summers.”
“You still planning on going to visit your dad and need me to stay at your place to take care of the animals?”
“Absolutely. Why do you ask?” I had been planning on leaving soon after school was out and spending a couple weeks in Florida. Trevor was always happy to take care of my menagerie.
He shook his head. “Just wondering, with Kai and everything. Speaking of Kai, how did things go last night?”
“He’s good. Thanks for calling me.” I smiled. So much for relaxing at the bar. I picked up the pitcher. “I’ll let you know the dates after the weekend.”
“Sounds good. As long as it’s before July. I’ve got plans, remember.”
“I know. It’ll be soon.” I went back to the table. I had been planning on heading straight to Florida once school was out, but now I didn’t know if I wanted to leave Kai and whatever this was. Maybe I should ask him to go. Seeing him in trunks with no shirt for days in a row at the beach and splashing in the water with him . . .
“What’s that smile for?” Lance asked.
“None of your business.” I didn’t want to discuss this with him, though I was sure he knew more than I’d like. Sometimes the oldest friends are the nosiest. I needed to get focused before people asked too many questions I wouldn’t be able to answer.
“Her mind has been preoccupied lately,” Bryson said.
“That’s right,” Lance said. “I heard you've been spotted all over town with Kai.” A sneaky grin crossed his features.
"Who told you that?"
"I have my sources," he said.
Damn book club gossips. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they told him everything they knew about me and Kai. And honestly, I don't care if the entire town finds out I had amazing, hot sex with him. It wouldn't be the first time I was a part of the gossip channel.
“We’re still trying to figure out what appointment she had early Saturday morning at Shear Perfection. She’s not talking. Maybe Kai gave her painting lessons,” Bryson said.
“Stop.” Darlene slapped Bryson’s arm. “You’ve been messing with Kora too much about her night with Kai. She’s an adult and is entitled to some fun once in a while.”
“Thanks.” I gave her a half smile. “I think?” Luckily, it was one thirty, so I needed to wrap up here and end this discussion. Maybe I did care if they knew my business. Getting to the hair salon early wouldn’t be so bad. I could use a talk with my aunt. “I’ll talk to you later, Dar. I gotta go. I’ve got a meeting with Summer.”
“Well, there she is. We were just talking about you.” Diane welcomed me with a hug.
“What a surprise." I raised a brow and held Diane at arm’s length. “What could I have done now that would have merited y’all’s attention?”
“Oh, nothing serious.”
“Nope, nothing at all serious. Just . . . you know,” Kaye answered.
“You are both up to no good. Oh, Kaye, I saw Lance at Jerry’s. Thanks for talking about me with him.” I sat in Summer’s chair.
“You’re welcome, sweety. He likes to be kept up to date with happenings in the romance department.”
“I’m sure he does. When are you going to set him up so y’all can talk about his love life?”
“He’s not ready to go there.” Kaye motioned for the woman whose hair she permed to get under the dryer.
Thankfully, Summer entered the area with a bowl of color and a cape she wrapped around my shoulders. “Okay, ladies, let me talk with my customer. Y’all have been talking about her enough today. Give her a break.”
Relationships were always the main topic at Shear Perfection, and I couldn’t stand it when it was about mine. This was why being in one was overwhelming, and I refuse to allow what Kai and I have going on to be called that. It was too soon. “What’s been said now, Summer?”
“Nothing different than all those nosy women wondering about details of your and Kai’s relationship. Too bad you couldn’t have kept things under wraps.”
“No shit.” I should have tried harder or just stayed locked in the room until the salon had closed for the day before sneaking out. I also shouldn’t have been holding his hand while I took him on a tour of the town. If I would have just gone kayaking, this talk wouldn’t be a thing. I lowered my voice. “Just think what they would say if they knew we have spent multiple nights together.”
Summer pursed her lips and nodded. “Nice.”
“I agree. Anyway, have you seen my aunt at all today?” Even though she worked, she often stopped in during her lunch break. She worked at city hall, and it was within a short walking distance. A perfect situation to spread the daily gossip to her friends before she forgot all the juicy details.
“Yeah, it’s Friday. She was here with some stories, but I wasn’t paying attention. I actually have to stay busy. I have bills to pay.”
Soon, my hair was in foil, and my feet soaked in a bath. Nothing like starting summer off with new hair and pretty nails. “This area is nice. Kai really knows what he’s doing.” The newly completed area had three pedicure bath chairs and a manicure station with two seats. It was a nice addition to the salon. They’d been talking about it for a long time, it was finally good to see it completed.
“From what I hear, he’s professional in other ways as well.” Summer glanced up from her stool.
“I won’t complain,” I said with a smile.
Just then, the door to the salon opened, and a male voice filled the room.
“Speak of the devil.” Summer gestured toward the door with her head.
I didn’t need to turn my head to see who Summer was gesturing to. I recognized Kai’s voice. My eyes popped wide. Holy shit! He couldn’t see me with foil in my hair. I looked ridiculous. “Summer, hide me,” I whispered.
But it was too late.
“Kora’s back getting a pedicure, Kai. What a coincidence her being here and you walking in,” Kaye greeted him. “But I’m sure you knew that didn’t you?”
Damn Kaye. I pulled my foot from Summer’s grasp.
“Hey.” Summer jerked my foot back on the footrest. “Don’t move. I’ll end up painting your entire foot. Not just your nails.”
“No, ma’am. I’m just here to meet Blake. He needs to do the final plumbing inspection. But Kora being here sure is a bonus.” Kai’s voice floated in from the front but was getting closer.
“Hey, Summer. Kora?” My name ended in a question.
Of course it did. I looked like I was preparing for an alien invasion with all this tin foil on my head. Maybe an alien ship could show up right then and beam me up. Heat crept up my neck, and I lifted my eyes slowly.
“Hey.” My heart thumped hard in my chest from a combination of absolute embarrassment and this amazing hunk standing in front of me. A sky-blue T-shirt, jeans, and boots were all he was wearing, but with the typical scruff on his face, he was breathtaking, and when he smiled and that dimple popped, he took my breath away and stole my heart.
“There. Toes complete.” My toes were a bubble gum pink. I liked the color and planned on having my fingernails match. Summer slipped my flip-flops carefully on my feet. “I think you have about ten minutes before we need to check your color, so you’re free. Just stay out of that now empty bedroom.” Summer winked and started to clean up the pedicure station.
I stood carefully with Kai’s help, and a spark shot from his hand through my entire body.
“Your toes are cute. Pink’s your color.”
“Thanks.”
He kept his hand on my arm as we walked into the kitchen. “I thought you were meeting Blake,” I said as I filled a cup with water.
“I am, eventually.” He ran his fingers across one of the pieces of foil in my hair. “Sexy.” His grin was crooked. His eyes glowed.
I was totally embarrassed, but my stomach fluttered and a tingle shot all the way through my body to my groin. I held his gaze. Even though I resembled a crazy lady, his eyes were totally into me, and I melted.
“So are you ready for a fun summer filled with . . . well, whatever you want, I guess. What do teachers do all summer, anyway?” His arms wrapped around my waist.
I shrugged, my hands on his chest. “Usually, I do odd jobs around town, volunteer at the civic center, do an art and craft class for kids, help around here, take care of my animals, kayak down the river or tube and drink.” I brushed my hand in a circular pattern on his chest. “This year, though, I’m thinking I’ll find some new hobbies to keep me occupied.”
“Really?” His eyes were smoldering, and I became lost in his gaze.
“Hey, Cinderella, we need to get your hair washed out,” Summer interrupted. “You can continue this little . . . whatever . . . later on. Oh, and Blake’s here, anyway.”
“What time are you planning on being finished with all this?” Kai gestured.
“She needs to be finished by six, as I have another customer, but if you don’t set her free, she’ll be here longer than that,” Summer yelled from the other room.
I chuckled. “I guess I should go. The last time I pissed her off, my hair became a bit shorter and a really interesting shade of blue.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. I planned on a quick simple kiss, but my lips had a different idea and a quick peck turned into a deep, hot, tongue-dancing kiss that made me want to leave with him right then, tin foil hair and all.
“Your hair is going to be fried. Get a move on!” Summer yelled.
“She has some amazing customer service skills,” Kai whispered with a smile.
“No shit. Now you know why she got Miss Congeniality for our class superlative.”
“I hope you’re kidding.”
My eyes went to the ceiling. “Of course.” I batted at his arm. “I’ll see all of you later.” I glanced down at his crotch, wiggled my brow, and sauntered off, putting a little more wiggle in my ass.